[Implementation Report] Okinawa Experience Program (9/9) - Shisa: Experience making sea shells, island sandals, and Okinawa cuisine

Okinawa Experience Program (9/9) [Implementation Report] Okinawa Experience Program (9/9) - Shisa Surfer Experience: Making a mask, island sandals, and experiencing Okinawa cuisine

On Wednesday, September 9th, the invited guests and participants enjoyed the unique Okinawa experience program. They actually got to experience hands-on activities that lead to the creation of commemorative travel products, such as making a Shisa, designing island straw hats, and cooking Okinawan home-style dishes.

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Report on the implementation of the 2026 Okinawa Experience Program within the Okinawa Prefecture Couple Anniversary Tourism Business 2026 under the Ryukyu Resort Wedding Week 2026

On Wednesday, September 9th, the third day of the event, it was the "Okinawa Experience Program" day. Participants experienced the appeal of Okinawa not only in terms of the hard aspects such as the chapel and hotels, but also in terms of the soft aspects such as the culture and food of Okinawa from a product planning perspective.

01 Shisa making (pottery experience)

This is a real Shisa making process, where you knead clay, shape the head, tail, and eyes one by one. Even participants who were at first struggling with the process were enthusiastic and worked on the project with the guidance of the instructor. The finished Shisa turned out to be unique and with no two alike. Many participants also took photos of themselves with the finished product.

[Handcrafted during production / Completed Shisa Horse / Photo with Shisa]

 

02 Making island sandals

We carved patterns with a carving knife onto the "Shimozuri," an indispensable item of life on Okinawa, and added color to create an original pair of sandals. Some participants even added names and place names, making this the perfect souvenir for the journey of two.

[Production process of Shimozoriori / Finished product]

 

03 Experience Okinawa cuisine

In the cooking room, we tried making Okinawan home-style dishes such as goya champaul and stewed foods. The finished dishes were served in a communal dish and everyone participated in eating it together. The exchange of ideas through food was a moment when conversation flowed beyond the barriers of language.

[Photo: Cooking Process / Set Meal]

04 Transform your experience into a "special day product"

Handcrafted Shisa and island figurines are a keepsake that can bring memories of the two of you back. The cooking experience can be used as a program that you can enjoy with your family and guests. This experience was actually experienced by the invited guests as a material to propose a journey of “lifetime anniversary” that doesn’t end with the wedding ceremony. In the post-event survey, respondents from overseas who participated in the experience program rated it as “5 extremely satisfied.”

Thank you to all the participating businesses for your cooperation.

▼ Photos from the day (Google Photos) https://photos.app.goo.gl/FFKR8iaWRTskyeYf6

Organized by: Okinawa Prefecture / Secretariat: Okinawa Prefecture Couple Anniversary Tourism Business Cooperative (2026 Couple Anniversary Tourism Business of Okinawa Prefecture)